Description
When Darkness Makes It Richer
I still remember the first time I smoked a Maduro 5 Magicos. It was during a late evening poker game at my favorite lounge – the kind where the smoke gets thick and the whiskey flows freely. One of the guys brought a box back from Havana, and honestly? I was skeptical. I’d always been a natural wrapper purist, thought maduros were trying too hard. Boy, was I wrong. That Magicos changed my entire perspective on what Cohiba could do with a dark wrapper.
The Cohiba Maduros 5 line represents something of a rebellion within Cuba’s most prestigious brand. While the traditional Cohiba linea built its reputation on blonde, silky wrappers from the first harvest, the Maduro 5 series embraces the richness of fermented oscuro leaves. The Magicos – which translates to “magical” – sits right in the middle of this collection as a robusto format that doesn’t mess around. It’s got presence, depth, and yeah, a bit of magic to it.
What Makes the Magicos Different
The Cohiba brand needs no introduction to any serious cigar aficionado. Born in 1966 as Fidel Castro’s personal cigar, it became the flagship brand of Cuban cigars worldwide. But the Maduros 5 collection, introduced in 2007, took Cohiba in a direction that surprised plenty of traditionalists. They took that legendary blend and wrapped it in a gorgeous, oily maduro wrapper that’s been given extra fermentation time.
The Magicos specifically appeals to smokers who want the Cohiba complexity but crave more body and richness. If you’re the type who finds the Siglo line a bit too refined, too subtle for your palate – this is your answer. It’s still unmistakably Cohiba, with that characteristic elegance and balance, but there’s a depth here that comes from that dark wrapper. Think of it as Cohiba putting on a leather jacket.
This isn’t a beginner’s cigar, though. I wouldn’t hand this to someone just getting into Cuban cigars – actually, scratch that. If they’ve been smoking quality cigars from other origins and know their way around medium to full-bodied smokes, they’ll appreciate what’s happening here. The Magicos rewards experience. You need to understand the baseline to appreciate how the maduro wrapper transforms it.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Magicos (Robusto) |
| Length | 4.5 inches / 115 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 52 |
| Wrapper | Cuban Maduro (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Filler | Cuban Ligero and Seco blend |
| Strength | Medium to Full |
| Smoking Time | 60-75 minutes |
The Journey Through Each Third
Right from the cold draw, you know you’re in for something special. There’s this sweet, almost cocoa-like richness mixed with dark earth and a hint of espresso. The wrapper itself has this beautiful dark chocolate color with a slight sheen – not overly oily, but enough to catch the light. Construction is typically flawless. Cohiba doesn’t release cigars that aren’t impeccably rolled.
Once you light it up, the first third hits with immediate richness. That maduro wrapper announces itself with dark coffee and bitter chocolate notes, but there’s this underlying creaminess that keeps it from being overwhelming. I taste cedar – always present in good Cuban tobacco – and this earthy, almost mineral quality that I associate with Vuelta Abajo leaf. The draw is perfect, maybe a touch of resistance, which is exactly how I like it. The smoke production is generous without being excessive.
The burn line stays remarkably even. The ash builds up in this light gray color with almost white edges, holding on for a solid inch before you need to tap it. That’s always a good sign of quality tobacco and proper aging.
Around the second third, things get interesting – and this is where the cigar earns its “Magicos” name, honestly. The flavors deepen but also become more complex. That coffee note evolves into more of a dark roast espresso character. There’s leather coming through now, and I swear I pick up hints of dark fruit – maybe dried figs? It’s subtle, not like those flavored cigars, but it’s there adding layers. The pepper that was mild in the first third starts building on the retrohale. Not aggressive, just… present. Letting you know this isn’t a mild smoke.
The final third is where you separate the Cohiba fans from the casual smokers. Some people burn out here, find it too strong. Me? This is where it gets good. The strength ramps up – this is definitely full-bodied territory now – but it never crosses into harshness. There’s this incredible mix of dark chocolate, espresso, toasted nuts, and earth. The pepper is more pronounced but balanced against the sweetness. If you push it too far, yeah, you’ll get some bitterness, but smoke it slow and it rewards patience. The last inch is pure satisfaction, though I’ll admit it can get warm. Small format robustos do that.
How It Stacks Up
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cohiba Maduro 5 Magicos | Medium-Full | 60-75 min | Evening smoke with depth and complexity |
| Cohiba Siglo IV | Medium | 50-60 min | Daytime elegance, lighter profile |
| Montecristo No. 4 | Medium | 45-60 min | Classic Cuban experience, more accessible |
The comparison with the Siglo IV is interesting because they’re similar sizes but completely different experiences. The Siglo is refined, sophisticated, subtle. The Magicos is bolder, richer, more in-your-face while still maintaining that Cohiba elegance. If the Siglo is a symphony, the Magicos is a jazz quartet – smaller ensemble but bigger sound.
Against a Montecristo No. 4? That’s the classic Cuban robusto that everyone knows. Reliable, consistent, delicious. But the Magicos has more complexity and depth. The Montecristo is straightforward in the best way. The Cohiba makes you work a bit more, think a bit more, but gives you more layers to discover.
What to Drink With It
This cigar demands a serious pairing. I’ve tried it with different options, and my go-to is a good aged rum – something like a 15-year Havana Club or even better, a Ron Santiago de Cuba Extra Añejo. The sweetness and spice in aged rum complements those dark wrapper notes beautifully. If you’re a whiskey person, go for something with body. A good Islay scotch works surprisingly well – the peat and smoke echo the tobacco’s earthiness. I had one with a Lagavulin 16 once and it was phenomenal.
Coffee? Absolutely, but make it espresso or a strong Cuban coffee. The cigar has enough coffee notes that it creates this beautiful echo effect. Wine people might reach for a full-bodied red – a Malbec or Cabernet can work, though I’m personally not a wine-with-cigars guy. Too much acid for my taste.
Time-wise, this is an evening smoke. After dinner, ideally. The strength builds enough that having it on an empty stomach might be rough if you’re not a regular full-bodied cigar smoker. Perfect for those nights when you’ve got time to kill and nowhere to be. Not a rushed lunch break cigar.
How does the Maduro 5 Magicos differ from regular Cohiba cigars?
The main difference is the maduro wrapper, which gets extra fermentation time and creates a darker, oilier leaf. This adds richness, deeper flavors like dark chocolate and espresso, and more body compared to the classic Cohiba linea with its blonde wrappers. The underlying blend is still premium Cuban tobacco from Vuelta Abajo, but the maduro wrapper transforms the experience into something bolder while keeping that signature Cohiba refinement.
What strength level should I expect from this cigar?
It starts medium and builds to medium-full, maybe even full in the final third. If you’re used to Connecticut shade cigars or milder Cubans like the Cohiba Siglo I or II, this will feel significantly stronger. But if you regularly smoke Partagás or Bolivar, you’ll find it manageable and balanced. Just don’t smoke it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Is the Magicos worth trying if I already love the Cohiba Siglo line?
Absolutely, but go in knowing it’s a different animal. The Siglo line is about elegance and subtlety – those cigars whisper. The Magicos speaks up. If you’ve ever thought the Siglo line was a bit too mild or wished for more richness, the Maduro 5 series is exactly what you’re looking for. It’s still unmistakably Cohiba, just wearing darker clothes.
How should I store this cigar for optimal smoking?
Standard Cuban cigar protocol applies – keep it around 65-68% humidity and 65-68°F. Maduro wrappers can be a bit more sensitive to humidity swings, so try to keep things stable. I actually find these smoke even better after they’ve had 6-12 months of rest in your humidor, though they’re perfectly fine fresh from the factory too. Just let them acclimate for a couple weeks if they’ve been shipped.
Can beginners smoke the Maduro 5 Magicos or is it too advanced?
I’d say it depends on the beginner. Someone brand new to cigars? Probably not – start with something milder. But if you’ve been smoking quality cigars for a few months and have handled medium to full-bodied smokes comfortably, go for it. The complexity rewards some experience, but it’s not so overwhelming that an enthusiastic newcomer couldn’t appreciate it. Just make sure you’ve eaten and have time to smoke it slowly.
How does it compare to other cigars in the Maduro 5 line?
The Maduro 5 line includes five vitolas, and the Magicos sits right in the sweet spot size-wise. The Secretos is smaller and quicker, the Genios is longer and thinner, while the Mágicos offers that perfect robusto format that’s substantial but not a massive time commitment. Flavor-wise they’re all similar profiles, so it really comes down to how much time you have and what format you prefer. I reach for the Magicos most often because 60-75 minutes is my ideal smoking window.
What makes the maduro wrapper special on this cigar?
The maduro wrapper on these comes from specially selected leaves that undergo extended fermentation – we’re talking months longer than typical wrappers. This breaks down more of the chlorophyll and sugars, creating that dark color and adding naturally sweeter, richer flavors. On the Cohiba specifically, they’re using top-grade Vuelta Abajo wrapper leaf, which is already exceptional, then giving it this treatment. It’s basically taking premium tobacco and making it even more complex.
Final Thoughts on the Magical One
The Cohiba Maduro 5 Magicos is what happens when Cuba’s most prestigious brand decides to embrace the dark side – in the best possible way. It’s rich, complex, and bold while still maintaining that unmistakable Cohiba sophistication. Not every cigar aficionado will prefer it over the classic linea, and that’s fine. But for those evenings when you want depth, when you want layers to unpack, when you want a cigar that commands attention? This is it.
If you’ve been curious about maduro-wrapped Cubans or you’re a Cohiba fan looking to expand beyond the Siglo series, grab a few of these. They’re special enough to save for occasions but reliable enough to become a regular rotation smoke. Just remember – give yourself time, pair it with something worthy, and let that maduro wrapper work its magic.
